Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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213. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether, in the course of the special EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 16 June 2025, he raised the unacceptable nature of the public comments of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following her phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34485/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran and welcomed the extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council on Tuesday 17 June to discuss the issue.

At that meeting, I outlined Ireland’s position on the need for urgent de-escalation by both sides and the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve this crisis. I highlighted our concern about the disproportionate impact on civilians, that targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure by either side is a violation of International Humanitarian Law, and the potential risks of radiation leakage from the Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities. Ireland, among other EU partners, called for coherent and consistent messaging from the EU including on breaches of International Humanitarian Law.

EU partners were in agreement that the conflict places the region at risk and that there is an urgent need to return to negotiations to solve the issue. It was agreed that Iran should not be able to develop a nuclear device, but this should be pursued through diplomacy and negotiation. It is welcome that the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, together with the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom will meet the Foreign Minister of Iran in Geneva for talks on 20 June.